The New Technology Frontier: Quantum Computing, AI, National Security, and Cryptocurrency

Sanjeev Bhasker, Partner | K&L Gates

Mr. Bhasker advises clients on artificial intelligence, digital assets, cybersecurity, government investigations, and quantum computing, drawing on his service as Acting General Counsel for the White House’s Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), where he served as chief legal advisor to the President’s National Cyber Director on cyber and emerging technology policy, including AI, blockchain and digital assets, and post-quantum cryptography. He also served on the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets and the Chief AI Officer Council, advising on policy, security, and industry engagement, including the GENIUS Act. He previously served as U.S. Digital Currency Counsel, a DOJ subject-matter expert on digital assets and emerging technologies, where he counseled on decentralized finance (DeFi) investigations and advised DOJ leadership on AML/CFT and OFAC sanctions compliance and litigation strategy in digital-asset matters.

• Education & Credentials

J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law, 2005; B.A., Wabash College, 2002. Admitted to practice in Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, and Ohio; not currently admitted in the District of Columbia, where he is supervised by a member of the D.C. Bar.

• Recognition & Leadership

Public Sector Trailblazer, South Asian Bar Association of Washington DC, 2025; Organized Crime Case of the Year, U.S. Department of Justice, 2017–2018; Outstanding Federal Prosecution Award, U.S. Department of Justice, 2019 and 2015.

• Professional Involvement

American Bar Association, Cybersecurity Legal Task Force and Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division; American Inns of Court; National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (former board member); South Asian Bar Association of America (former board member).

• Experience

As Acting General Counsel for the White House’s Office of the National Cyber Director, drafted and implemented Presidential Executive Orders, advised on DOJ’s Bulk Data Security Program rule, and led executive engagement with Congress, Fortune 100 companies, and trade associations on cyber and emerging technology policy; responded to congressional oversight investigations and counseled White House appointees through Senate confirmation. As U.S. Digital Currency Counsel at DOJ, counseled on DeFi investigations and advised on AML/CFT and OFAC sanctions compliance and digital-asset litigation strategy, and addressed the SEC’s Crypto Task Force and the CFTC’s Market Risk Advisory Committee. As a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, tried nearly 100 jury and bench trials and briefed more than 40 appeals; led cyber and national security investigations including enforcement of OFAC sanctions and IEEPA violations, and co-chaired the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Bank Secrecy Act team with FinCEN. Has trained government and law enforcement officials in over 40 countries on emerging technology and AML/CFT compliance, including at the United Nations, the FATF Virtual Asset Contact Group, and the Organization of American States.

Corey M. Bieber, Partner | K&L Gates

Mr. Bieber concentrates his practice on data protection and emerging technologies, including legal compliance involving artificial intelligence, deepfake technology, biometric systems, blockchain, virtual reality, video games, and conventional software and technology systems, and currently serves as the firm’s artificial intelligence liaison for the Intellectual Property practice group. He has more than 20 years of experience in the software development and information technology industry, including over a decade as a software developer and solutions architect in the healthcare industry, and uses that technical background to advise clients on information technology vulnerabilities and to develop policies and procedures to secure client data and comply with applicable law.

• Education & Credentials

B.A., Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2002; J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, 2014; M.P.H., Boston University, 2006 (Public Health – Applied Research and Statistics); M.S., Northwestern University, 2010 (Computer Information Systems). Admitted to practice in Illinois and before the United States Tax Court.

• Recognition & Leadership

Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Technology Law in Chicago, 2025.

• Professional Involvement

Illinois Bar Association; InfraGard, a partnership between the FBI and members of the private sector for the protection of U.S. critical infrastructure. Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, and Certified Information Privacy Professional (US). Veterans Administration accredited attorney; participates in pro bono representation of disabled veterans before the VA Regional Office.

• Experience

Counsels universities, game software and hardware developers, healthcare systems, and other technology providers on matters concerning the underlying technology in licensing agreements and software copyrights, and advises clients on information technology vulnerabilities. Developed the firm’s litigation analytics platform, used in data-intensive class action litigation to conduct data audits and perform exposure and merits assessments, and has worked extensively with the analysis of email, census, payroll, and time card data — including biometric data — in support of fraud investigations and employment claims. Prior to joining the firm, served as an in-house information technology and legal consultant for a major health insurer, responsible for HIPAA privacy and security, web and mobile terms of use and privacy policies, vendor contract management, and Telephone Consumer Protection Act matters, and chaired a cross-divisional committee that worked to influence FTC and FDA mobile-technology policy.

SESSION 1 – The New Technology Frontier: Quantum Computing, AI, and National Security | 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Quantum computing and artificial intelligence are moving from emerging concepts to technologies with significant implications for cybersecurity, government policy, critical infrastructure, and national security. This session will examine the legal and regulatory challenges created by increasingly sophisticated AI systems and the potential impact of quantum computing on existing encryption and security frameworks. Drawing on experience advising government leaders on AI, cybersecurity, emerging technology, and post-quantum cryptography, the speakers will explore how organizations should evaluate these risks and prepare for a technology landscape in which traditional security assumptions may no longer hold.

BREAK | 1:00pm – 1:10pm

SESSION 2 – Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, and the New Financial Security Landscape | 1:10pm – 2:10pm

The expansion of cryptocurrency, blockchain, decentralized finance, and digital assets has created a rapidly evolving intersection between financial innovation, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and national security. This session will examine the legal and enforcement landscape surrounding digital assets, including anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing obligations, sanctions, cybercrime, decentralized finance, and government investigations. The discussion will also connect cryptocurrency risks to the broader technology landscape explored in Session 1, including cybersecurity vulnerabilities, digital identity, emerging technologies, and the government’s increasing focus on protecting the financial system from sophisticated technology-enabled threats. Sanjeev’s background includes serving as U.S. Digital Currency Counsel at DOJ and advising on DeFi investigations, AML/CFT, OFAC sanctions, and digital-asset litigation strategy.